These days, YouTube stars can become as famous (and as rich) as movie stars. While that obviously opens lots of doors and opportunities for them, it also brings with it a darker side.
That's something popular YouTube couple Megan Turney and Gavin Free discovered recently after an armed intruder broke into their Texas home on 26 January.
Even more terrifying is the fact that Christopher Giles had driven 11 hours from New Mexico to force entry into their home and was armed with a handgun.
He woke the couple as he broke glass to gain access to their home and, according to the Metro, fired 'at least one round inside' the couple's home.
Turney and Free hid inside their closet and called 911. Police arrived a few minutes later, intercepting Giles as he returned to his car having failed to find the YouTubers.
He shot at the police officers, who returned fire and killed him less than ten minutes after the couple had made the emergency call.
Credit: YouTube / Meg Turney
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Police later described Giles as 'single, lonely and disturbed', and had found evidence on his phone that he had an intense dislike for Free but a huge fondness for his girlfriend.
According to court documents, 'a search of Giles' cellular phone identified various notations identifying Megan Turney and Gavin Free by name. Furthermore, threatening thoughts were recorded by Giles and directed toward Gavin Free, i.e., "I want Gavin Free to die alone, with no children".'
When police searched Giles' New Mexico home and belongings, they discovered 'he was an avid player of video games and was known for watching YouTube videos.' More chilling is that they also found 'evidence related to the planned burglary and homicides of Megan Turney and Gavin Free'.
After the incident, Free - who is part of the popular Rooster Teeth channel - took to Twitter to thank both fans for their support and the police for being on the scene so quickly.
Topics: US Entertainment, YouTube
